U.S. patent application number 13/351241 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-18 for convertible clamshell to slate device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gary Voronel. Invention is credited to Gary Voronel.
Application Number | 20130181909 13/351241 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48548116 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130181909 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Voronel; Gary |
July 18, 2013 |
CONVERTIBLE CLAMSHELL TO SLATE DEVICE
Abstract
In one embodiment, a clamshell-slate hybrid may act as either a
clamshell or slate computing device. The clamshell-slate hybrid 202
may selectively set an activation state of a vestigial key set 426
of a keyboard 424 on a key side 422 of a keyboard chassis 206
hinged along a top axis to a display chassis 204. The
clamshell-slate hybrid 202 may retract the vestigial key set 426
based on an activation state. The clamshell-slate hybrid 202 may
receive a user input in a touch screen display 354 on a display
side 352 of the display chassis 204.
Inventors: |
Voronel; Gary; (Seattle,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Voronel; Gary |
Seattle |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48548116 |
Appl. No.: |
13/351241 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/173 ;
361/679.09 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1662 20130101;
G06F 1/1618 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/173 ;
361/679.09 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041; G06F 1/16 20060101 G06F001/16 |
Claims
1. A machine-implemented method, comprising: setting selectively an
activation state of a vestigial key set of a keyboard on a key side
of a keyboard chassis hinged along a top axis to a display chassis;
retracting the vestigial key set based on an activation state; and
receiving a user input in a touch screen display on a display side
of the display chassis.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a display
position of the display chassis relative to the keyboard
chassis.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: determining the
activation state of the vestigial key set using the display
position.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: locking the display
chassis to the keyboard chassis so that a cover side of the display
chassis opposite the display side is facing a base side of the
keyboard chassis opposite the key side.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving at least
one of a user gesture in the touch screen display, a biometric
identifier of a user, a keystroke input, and a slate mode exit
notification as a reactivation instruction for the vestigial key
set.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: changing a function
of a dual use key upon disabling the vestigial key set.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: receiving a control
instruction from the dual use key.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: reducing a vestigial
key gap upon retraction.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: covering the
vestigial key set in a deactivated state.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: disabling a popup
virtual keyboard when the vestigial key set is in an active
state.
11. A tangible machine-readable medium having a set of instructions
detailing a method stored thereon that when executed by one or more
processors cause the one or more processors to perform the method,
the method comprising: determining a display position of a display
chassis relative to a keyboard chassis along a top axis; setting
selectively a function of a dual use key of a keyboard on the key
side of the keyboard chassis based on the display position; and
receiving a user input in a touch screen display on the display
side of the display chassis.
12. The tangible machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the
method further comprises: receiving a control instruction from the
dual use key.
13. The tangible machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the
method further comprises: setting selectively an activation state
of a vestigial key set of the keyboard.
14. The tangible machine-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the
method further comprises: receiving at least one of a user gesture
in the touch screen, a biometric identifier of a user, a keystroke
input, and a slate mode exit notification as a reactivation
instruction for the vestigial key set.
15. The tangible machine-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the
method further comprises: disabling a popup virtual keyboard when
the vestigial key set is in an active state.
16. A laptop-tablet hybrid, comprising: a display chassis having a
touch screen display on a display side and a cover side opposite
the display side; a keyboard chassis having a keyboard on the key
side and a base side opposite the key side; and a hinge along the
top axis of the keyboard chassis allowing the display side of the
display chassis to directly face the key side of the keyboard
chassis and the cover side of the display chassis to directly face
the base side of the keyboard chassis; and a retractor that lowers
a vestigial key set of the keyboard based on an activation
state.
17. The laptop-tablet hybrid of claim 16, further comprising: a
magnetic cover latch that locks the display chassis to the keyboard
chassis so that the cover side directly faces the base side.
18. The laptop-tablet hybrid of claim 16, further comprising: a
processor that selectively sets the activation state of the
vestigial key set of the keyboard.
19. The laptop-tablet hybrid of claim 16, wherein a vestigial key
gap is minimized upon retraction.
20. The laptop-tablet hybrid of claim 16, further comprising: a
cover that slides over the vestigial key set.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Computers have evolved from giant room-sized servers to
desktop devices, to laptops, to tablets, and to handheld computer
devices. While laptops and tablets both offer portability, each may
provide a different value for the user. A tablet may offer a more
intuitive computing experience, while a laptop may produce an
easier document creating experience.
SUMMARY
[0002] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that is further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0003] Embodiments discussed below relate to a clamshell-slate
hybrid acting as either a clamshell or slate computing device. The
clamshell-slate hybrid may set selectively an activation state of a
vestigial key set of a keyboard on a key side of a keyboard chassis
hinged along a top axis to a display chassis. The clamshell-slate
hybrid may retract the vestigial key set based on an activation
state. The clamshell-slate hybrid may receive a user input in a
touch screen display on a display side of the display chassis.
DRAWINGS
[0004] In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited
and other advantages and features can be obtained, a more
particular description is set forth and will be rendered by
reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in
the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict
only typical embodiments and are not therefore to be considered to
be limiting of its scope, implementations will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings.
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates, in a block diagram, one embodiment of a
computing device.
[0006] FIGS. 2a-c illustrate, in block diagrams, multiple modes of
one embodiment of a clamshell-slate hybrid.
[0007] FIGS. 3a-b illustrate, in block diagrams, multiple views of
one embodiment of a display chassis.
[0008] FIGS. 4a-c illustrate, in block diagrams, multiple views of
one embodiment of a keyboard chassis.
[0009] FIGS. 5a-b illustrate, in block diagrams, a cross section
view of multiple embodiments of a retractor.
[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates, in a flowchart, one embodiment of a
method of setting an activation state of a keyboard.
[0011] FIG. 7 illustrates, in a flowchart, one embodiment of a
method of deactivating a keyboard.
[0012] FIG. 8 illustrates, in a flowchart, one embodiment of a
method of activating a keyboard.
[0013] FIG. 9 illustrates, in a flowchart, one embodiment of a
method of converting a laptop to a slate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Embodiments are discussed in detail below. While specific
implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is
done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the
relevant art will recognize that other components and
configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and
scope of the subject matter of this disclosure. The implementations
may be a machine-implemented method, a tangible machine-readable
medium having a set of instructions detailing a method stored
thereon for at least one processor, or a laptop-slate hybrid.
[0015] A clamshell-slate hybrid may allow a computing device to
have both a clamshell form factor and a slate form factor. A
clamshell form factor has two similarly shaped component bodies
that fold together along a hinge. A slate form factor has a single
block component body. A clamshell-slate hybrid may describe both a
laptop-tablet hybrid and a handheld computer device having both
clamshell and slate form factors.
[0016] A clamshell-slate hybrid may have a hinge that allows a
display chassis to rotate completely around a keyboard chassis and
lock into place with the keyboard of the keyboard chassis and the
display of the display chassis facing outward. As the display
chassis locks into place, the keys of the keyboard chassis may
retract to be flush with the chassis, giving the device a slate
form factor. Selective keys in the keyboard may be set to a
deactivated state to avoid accidental user input. Selected keys may
change function in the slate state as opposed to the clamshell
state. These selected keys may allow the clamshell-slate hybrid to
be used as a controller, either as a game controller or a remote
controller. Additionally, the display chassis may have a touch
screen. The user interface may adapt depending on the mode of the
clamshell-slate hybrid.
[0017] Thus, in one embodiment, a clamshell-slate hybrid may act as
either a clamshell or slate computing device. The clamshell-slate
hybrid may set an activation state selectively of a vestigial key
set of a keyboard on a key side of a keyboard chassis hinged along
a top axis to a display chassis. The clamshell-slate hybrid may
retract the vestigial key set based on an activation state. The
clamshell-slate hybrid may receive a user input in a touch screen
display on a display side of the display chassis.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computing
device 100 which may perform the user interface functions of a
laptop-slate hybrid. The computing device 100 may combine one or
more of hardware, software, firmware, and system-on-a-chip
technology to implement the user interface functions of a
laptop-slate hybrid. The computing device 100 may include a bus
110, a processor 120, a memory 130, a read only memory (ROM) 140, a
storage device 150, an input device 160, an output device 170, and
a communication interface 180. The bus 110 may permit communication
among the components of the computing device 100.
[0019] The processor 120 may include at least one conventional
processor or microprocessor that interprets and executes a set of
instructions. The memory 130 may be a random access memory (RAM) or
another type of dynamic storage device that stores information and
instructions for execution by the processor 120. The memory 130 may
also store temporary variables or other intermediate information
used during execution of instructions by the processor 120. The ROM
140 may include a conventional ROM device or another type of static
storage device that stores static information and instructions for
the processor 120. The storage device 150 may include any type of
tangible machine-readable medium, such as, for example, magnetic or
optical recording media and its corresponding drive. A tangible
machine-readable medium is a physical medium storing
machine-readable code or instructions, as opposed to a transitory
medium or signal. The storage device 150 may store a set of
instructions detailing a method that when executed by one or more
processors cause the one or more processors to perform the
method.
[0020] The input device 160 may include one or more conventional
mechanisms that permit a user to input information to the computing
device 100, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a voice recognition
device, a microphone, a headset, etc. The output device 170 may
include one or more conventional mechanisms that output information
to the user, including a display, a printer, one or more speakers,
a headset, or a medium, such as a memory, or a magnetic or optical
disk and a corresponding disk drive. The communication interface
180 may include any transceiver-like mechanism that enables
computing device 100 to communicate with other devices or networks.
The communication interface 180 may include a network interface or
a mobile transceiver interface. The communication interface 180 may
be a wireless, wired, or optical interface.
[0021] The computing device 100 may perform such functions in
response to processor 120 executing sequences of instructions
contained in a computer-readable medium, such as, for example, the
memory 130, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. Such instructions
may be read into the memory 130 from another computer-readable
medium, such as the storage device 150, or from a separate device
via the communication interface 180.
[0022] FIG. 2a illustrates, in a block diagram, one embodiment of a
dormant mode 200 of a clamshell-slate hybrid 202. A clamshell
computing device has two similar component bodies that fold
together along a hinge. A clamshell computing device may have a
display chassis 204 containing a visual display and a keyboard
chassis 206 containing a keyboard to receive user input. A hinge
208 may connect the display chassis 204 to the keyboard chassis
206. A clamshell computing device may be a laptop computer or a
clamshell handheld computer.
[0023] A slate computing device has a single block component body.
The display in a slate computing device may be a touch screen
display that receives user input. A slate computing device may be a
tablet computer or a slate handheld computer.
[0024] A clamshell-slate hybrid 200 may act as either a clamshell
computing device or a slate computing device. The clamshell-slate
hybrid 200 may have a hinge 208 that allows the display chassis to
rotate 360 degrees around the keyboard chassis. The hinge 208 may
have multiple axes to allow complete rotation.
[0025] The clamshell-hybrid 202 may be turned off or in sleep mode
when in dormant mode 200. In the dormant mode 200, the display
chassis 204 of the clamshell-slate hybrid 202 may lay over top the
keyboard chassis 206. The display in the display chassis 204 may
face the keyboard in the keyboard chassis 206, so that the outer
side of the display chassis 204 and the outer side of the keyboard
chassis 206 may protect the display and keyboard.
[0026] FIG. 2b illustrates, in a block diagram, one embodiment of a
clamshell mode 220 of a clamshell-slate hybrid 202. In the
clamshell mode 220, the display chassis 204 may form an angle with
the keyboard chassis 206 at the hinge 208 ranging from greater than
1 degree to less than 360 degrees. The clamshell-slate hybrid 202
may extend a set of keys 222 from the keyboard of the keyboard
chassis 206. The keyboard chassis 206 may also support a touchpad
and other input devices. A user may enter data into the
clamshell-slate hybrid 202 using the keyboard, touchpad, and other
input devices of the keyboard chassis 206.
[0027] FIG. 2c illustrates, in a block diagram, one embodiment of a
slate mode 240 of a clamshell-slate hybrid 202. In the slate mode
240, the display chassis 204 may lay atop the keyboard chassis 206
with the outer side of the display chassis 204 facing the outer
side of the keyboard chassis 206. Thus, keyboard and the display
both face out. The clamshell-slate hybrid 202 may retract and
deactivate the set of keys 222 from the keyboard of the keyboard
chassis 206.
[0028] FIG. 3a illustrates, in a block diagram, a rear view 300 of
one embodiment of a display chassis 204. The display chassis 204
may have a cover side 302 opposite the display. The cover side 302
may have a cover latch 304 that attaches to the side of the
keyboard chassis 206 opposite the keyboard. The cover latch 304 may
be a magnetic cover latch, a retractable hook, or other type of
cover latch 304 to hold the display chassis 204 solidly in position
with the keyboard chassis 206. The display chassis 204 may have a
hinge connector 306 attaching the display chassis 204 to the hinge
208.
[0029] FIG. 3b illustrates, in a block diagram, a front view 350 of
one embodiment of a display chassis 204. The display chassis 204
may have a display side 352 presenting a touch screen display 354.
The touch screen display 354 may receive a user input. The touch
screen display 354 may disregard touch inputs based on the position
of the display chassis 204 relative to the keyboard chassis 206.
The touch screen display 354 may present a popup virtual keyboard
356 based on whether the keyboard is in an active state. A popup
virtual keyboard is a touch screen keyboard that is selectively
presented to the user based on the content of the screen. For
example, if the touch screen display 354 is presenting a form to be
filled with text, the popup virtual keyboard may appear for the
user to enter text.
[0030] FIG. 4a illustrates, in a block diagram, a rear view 400 of
one embodiment of a keyboard chassis 206. The keyboard chassis 206
may have a base side 402 opposite the keyboard. The base side 402
may have a base latch 404 for connecting to the cover latch 304
from the cover side 302 of the display chassis 204. The base latch
404 may have a latch sensor 406 for detecting if the cover latch
304 is connected to the base latch 404. The base latch 404 and the
cover latch 304 may be magnetic with a built in latch sensor 406.
The latch sensor 406 may determine when the magnetic cover latch
304 and the magnetic base latch 404 create a closed circuit. The
keyboard chassis 206 may have a top axis hinge 408. Alternately,
the latch sensor 406 may be based at the top axis hinge 408. A top
axis hinge 408 is a hinge 208 near the top edge of the keyboard
chassis 206 that allows the keyboard chassis 206 to rotate around
the top edge.
[0031] FIG. 4b illustrates, in a block diagram, a front active view
420 of one embodiment of the keyboard chassis 206. The keyboard
chassis 206 may have a key side 422 containing a keyboard 424. The
keyboard 424 may have a vestigial key set 426 and a dual use key
set 428. The vestigial key set 426 may have a vestigial key or
multiple vestigial keys. The vestigial key set 426 may have an
activation state. The activation state may be an active state or a
deactivated state. In an active state, a vestigial key may register
being pressed by the user. In a deactivated state, a vestigial key
may disregard being pressed by the user.
[0032] The dual use key set 426 may have a dual use key or multiple
dual use keys. The dual use key set 428 may have different
functions based on the display position of the display chassis 204
relative to the keyboard chassis 206. Additionally, the dual use
key set 428 may have a first function when the vestigial key set
426 is in an active state and may have a different function when
the vestigial key set 426 is in a deactivated state. The dual use
key set 428 may act as part of a standard key board while the
vestigial key set 426 is in an active state. The dual use key set
428 may act as part of a controller, such as a game controller or a
remote control, while the vestigial key set 426 is in a deactivated
state. The dual use key set 428 may be placed in an active state or
a deactivated state coinciding with the vestigial key set based on
a setting of the clamshell-slate hybrid 202. For example, the
clamshell-slate hybrid 202 may have both a controller setting and a
tablet setting while in slate mode 240.
[0033] The key side 422 may contain a touchpad 430 that acts as a
mouse. The touchpad 430 may be in an active state or a deactivated
state. The activation state of the touchpad 430 may be connected to
the activation state of the vestigial key set 426 or may be
independent of the activation state of the vestigial key set
426.
[0034] FIG. 4c illustrates, in a block diagram, a front dormant
view 440 of one embodiment of the keyboard chassis 206. In a
deactivated state, the vestigial key set 426 may disregard being
pressed by the user. Further, a cover 442 may slide into place to
protect the vestigial key set 426 when not in use. Alternately, the
cover 442 may flip over onto the vestigial key set 426 or may snap
into place.
[0035] A retractor may lower a vestigial key set 426 of the
keyboard 424 based on an activation state. FIG. 5a illustrates, in
a block diagram, a cross section view of one embodiment of a
covered retractor 500 for the keyboard chassis 206. The keyboard
chassis 206 may have a set of block keys 502 held in place by a key
support 504. A key spring 506 may keep each block key 502 raised
above the surface of the keyboard chassis 206. An arm 508 may lower
the block keys 502 below the surface of the keyboard chassis 206.
The covered retractor 500 may use other retraction mechanisms
besides an arm 508 to lower the block keys 502. A support catch 510
may hold the block keys 502 in the retracted state. A cover 512 may
be slide over a vestigial key set 426 of block keys 502 to protect
the block keys 502 in the retracted state. A hinge sensor 514 at
the hinge 208 may determine the position of the keyboard chassis
206 relative to the display chassis 204. The retraction state of
the block keys 502 may be set based on the position of the keyboard
chassis 206 relative to the display chassis 204.
[0036] FIG. 5b illustrates, in a block diagram, a cross section
view of one embodiment of a coverless retractor 550 for the
keyboard chassis 206. The keyboard chassis 206 may have a set of
fitted keys 552 held in place by a harness 554. The key spring 506
may keep each fitted key 552 raised above the surface of the
keyboard chassis 206. The harness 554 may lower the fitted keys 552
to minimize any vestigial key gap between the fitted keys 552 and
the keyboard chassis 206 upon retraction. The harness 554 may be
pulled down by a mechanism or a magnetic source. The coverless
retractor 550 may use other retraction mechanisms besides a harness
554 to lower the fitted keys 552. A harness catch 556 may hold the
fitted keys 552 in the retracted state. The hinge sensor 514 may
determine the position of the keyboard chassis 206 relative to the
display chassis 204. The retraction state of the fitted keys 552
may be set based on the position of the keyboard chassis 206
relative to the display chassis 204.
[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates, in a flowchart, one embodiment of a
method 600 of setting an activation state of a keyboard. The
clamshell-slate hybrid 202 may selectively set an activation state
of a vestigial key set 426 of a keyboard 424 on a key side 422 of a
keyboard chassis 206 hinged along a top axis to a display chassis
204 (Block 602). If the keyboard 424 is deactivated (Block 604),
the clamshell-slate hybrid 202 may set the vestigial key set 426 to
a deactivated state (Block 606). The clamshell-slate hybrid 202 may
receive a control instruction from a dual use key 428 (Block
608).
[0038] If the keyboard 424 is activated (Block 604), the
clamshell-slate hybrid 202 may receive a reactivation instruction
for the vestigial key set 426 (Block 610). The reactivation
instruction may be at least one of a user gesture in the touch
screen display 354, a biometric identifier of a user, a keystroke
input, or a slate mode exit notification. The user gesture may be
any gesture made by the user on the touch screen display 354. The
biometric identifier may be a fingerprint received via the touch
screen display 354. The keystroke input may be a combination of
inputs of one or more of the dual use keys. The slate mode exit
notification may be generated by the latch sensor 406 or the hinge
sensor 514 to indicate that the clamshell-slate hybrid 202 is
exiting slate mode 240.
[0039] The clamshell-slate hybrid 202 may set the vestigial key set
426 to an active state (Block 612). The clamshell-slate hybrid 202
may receive a key input via the vestigial key set 426 (Block 614).
The clamshell-slate hybrid 202 may receive a user input in a touch
screen display 354 on a display side 352 of the display chassis 204
(Block 616).
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates, in a flowchart, one embodiment of a
method 700 of deactivating a keyboard. The clamshell-slate hybrid
202 may retract the vestigial key set 426 based on an activation
state (Block 702). The clamshell-slate hybrid 202 may cover the
vestigial key set 426 in the deactivated state (Block 704). The
clamshell-slate hybrid 202 may change a function of a dual use key
428 upon disabling the vestigial key set 426 (Block 706). The
clamshell-slate hybrid 202 may enable a popup virtual keyboard 356
when the vestigial key set 426 is in the deactivated state (Block
708).
[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates, in a flowchart, one embodiment of a
method 800 of activating a keyboard. The clamshell-slate hybrid 202
may raise the vestigial key set 426 in an active state (Block 802).
The clamshell-slate hybrid 202 may uncover the vestigial key set
426 in the active state (Block 804). The clamshell-slate hybrid 202
may change a function of dual use key 428 upon enabling the
vestigial key set 426 (Block 806). The clamshell-slate hybrid 202
may disable a popup virtual keyboard 356 when the vestigial key set
426 is in the active state (Block 808).
[0042] FIG. 9 illustrates, in a flowchart, one embodiment of a
method 900 of converting a laptop to a tablet. The laptop-tablet
hybrid may lock a display chassis 204 to a keyboard chassis 206 so
that a cover side 302 of the display chassis 204 opposite the
display side 352 is facing a base side 402 of the keyboard chassis
206 opposite the key side 422 (Block 902). The laptop-tablet hybrid
may determine a display position of the display chassis 204
relative to the keyboard chassis 206 along a top axis (Block 904).
The laptop-tablet hybrid may determine an activation state of the
vestigial key set 426 using the display position (Block 906). The
laptop-tablet hybrid may selectively set the activation state of a
vestigial key set 426 of a keyboard 424 on the key side 422 of the
keyboard chassis 206 based on the display position. Thus, the
laptop-tablet hybrid may deactivate the vestigial key set 426 based
on the display position (Block 908). The laptop-tablet hybrid may
retract the vestigial key set 426 in a deactivated state (Block
910). The laptop-tablet hybrid may reduce a vestigial key gap upon
retraction (Block 912). The laptop-tablet hybrid may selectively
set a function of a dual use key 428 of a keyboard 424 on the key
side 422 of the keyboard chassis 206 based on the display position
(Block 914). The laptop-tablet hybrid may receive a control
instruction from the dual use key 428 (Block 916). The
laptop-tablet hybrid may enable a popup virtual keyboard when the
vestigial key set is in a deactivated state (Block 918). The
laptop-tablet hybrid may receive user input in a touch screen
display 354 on a display side 352 of the display chassis 206 (Block
920).
[0043] Although the subject matter has been described in language
specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is
to be understood that the subject matter in the appended claims is
not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described
above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are
disclosed as example forms for implementing the claims.
[0044] Embodiments within the scope of the present invention may
also include non-transitory computer-readable storage media for
carrying or having computer-executable instructions or data
structures stored thereon. Such non-transitory computer-readable
storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a
general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and
not limitation, such non-transitory computer-readable storage media
can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk
storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,
or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired
program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions
or data structures. Combinations of the above should also be
included within the scope of the non-transitory computer-readable
storage media.
[0045] Embodiments may also be practiced in distributed computing
environments where tasks are performed by local and remote
processing devices that are linked (either by hardwired links,
wireless links, or by a combination thereof) through a
communications network.
[0046] Computer-executable instructions include, for example,
instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer,
special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to
perform a certain function or group of functions.
Computer-executable instructions also include program modules that
are executed by computers in stand-alone or network environments.
Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,
components, and data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks
or implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executable
instructions, associated data structures, and program modules
represent examples of the program code means for executing steps of
the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such
executable instructions or associated data structures represents
examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions
described in such steps.
[0047] Although the above description may contain specific details,
they should not be construed as limiting the claims in any way.
Other configurations of the described embodiments are part of the
scope of the disclosure. For example, the principles of the
disclosure may be applied to each individual user where each user
may individually deploy such a system. This enables each user to
utilize the benefits of the disclosure even if any one of a large
number of possible applications do not use the functionality
described herein. Multiple instances of electronic devices each may
process the content in various possible ways. Implementations are
not necessarily in one system used by all end users. Accordingly,
the appended claims and their legal equivalents should only define
the invention, rather than any specific examples given.
* * * * *